Research Interests:Research in the behavioral pharmacology laboratory focuses on three primary areas. Our first research area concerns drug interactions and motivative variables. We are currently conducting research examining the relationship between excitatory amino acids (EAA), such as NMDA, and unlearned motivative variables. NMDA as well as other EAA’s produce a marked increase in water consumption. These studies specifically examine how water-maintained operant behavior may be sustained by activity of the NMDA receptor complex without water deprivation. Our second area of interest is the behavioral pharmacology of the antimalarial drug Mefloquine. The final area of research is centered on respondent conditioning of endogenous opioid systems and immune function.

Lab Alumni:

Jessica Frieder, Ph.D.

Megan Kwak, M.A.

Katy Zorich, MS.

Erin McClure, Ph.D.

Ryan Zayac, PhD.

Kevin Smith, M.A.

Rachel Kreiss, M.A.

Alicia Crisman, PhD.

Sarah E. Snider, PhD.

John Mantch, Ph.D.

Chris Schmoutz, Ph.D.

Tim Waggoner, MA.

John Stokes, M.A.

Chad Beyer, PhD.

Julie Isenberg, M.A.

Matt Weaver, PhD.

Douglas Kostowicz, PhD.

Christina Shreen, PhD .

Megan Guidi, MA

Jennifer Rodzinak, MA.

Mike Roth, MA.

Amanda Granner, PhD.

Kassandra Foster, MA.

Crystal Roth, MA.

Kristin Albert, MA.

Josh Johnson, PhD.

Megan Roby, Esq.

Abbe’ Machi, MA.

Selected Presentations and Publications:

McClure, E. and Clark, R.: Effects of Oxycodone on Escape-Avoidance Behavior in the Rat: Evaluation of Selected Mu and Kappa antagonists. Association for Behavior Analysis. May (2003) San Francisco, Ca.

Johnson, J. and Clark, R.: Stereoselective Behavioral Effects of NMDA and NMLA in the Rat: Assessment Under an IRT>t Schedule of Water Presentation. Presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis. May (2005) Chicago, Il.

Guidi, M. and Clark, R.: A Comparison Functional Analyses Conducted in both the Natural and Experimental Environments for a child with PDD-NOS. Presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis. May (2005) Chicago, Il.

Rodzinak, J. and Clark, R. D.: Effects of DRL and DRO Schedules of Reinforcement on the Frequency and Amount of Interfering Behaviors. Presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis. May (2006) Atlanta, GA.

Sarah Snider: Effects of Mefloquine Hydrochloride on NMDA- and Kianate-Induced Drinking in the Sprague-Dawley Rats. Presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis. May (2008) Chicago, Il.

Molly I. Guest: Classical Conditioning of Antiepileptic Drug Effects: Failure of Metrozol to Produce Convulsions and the Production of Convulsions From the Withdrawal from Chronic Valproic Acid. Presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis. May (2008) Chicago, Il.